In Principiis

Latin III Page 1

In Principiis Wednesday, February 24, 2010 10:40 AM

Salvius himself had arrived at the campground a little earlier. He sat in the headquarters of the second legion, anxiously waiting for Agricola. He was worried, because in the letter he sent to Agricola had many dishonest things.

In particular, he accused Cogidubnus of rebellion. He wondered if Agricola would believe him. He had lead Belimicus himself with him, in order that he was a witness.

Suddenly, having caught sight of Agricola entering, Salvius hurried to him in order to greet him. He then repeated about the things which were written in the letter. Agricola, when he heard of this, was quite for a long time. At last, very excited, he said:

"What great treachery!" , "What great madness"! That which you reveal to me, I can hardly understand. Cogidubnus and I have been friends for a long time. The king is insane. The cheiftians of the regnensis are insane! I should have known not to be friends with barbarians, they always betray us.

Having said this to Salinus, the commander of the legion turned to himself .

"Silane," he said, "it is necessary for us to crush the king and the cheiftians of the Regnensis as quickly as possible. You must set out at once with two cohorts.

Latin III Page 2

Having gone out from the headquarters, Silanus gave orders to the centurion.

He ordered them to prepare the cohorts. Meanwhile, Agricola began to ask more about the king's treachery. Salvius responded to him:

"Here is Bellimiucs, a man of the greatest character and faithfulness, who that Cogibnus tried to corrupt. Belimicus, who rejected the flatteries of the king, revealed all to me.

"that which Salvius said is the truth" says Belimicus. The King hates the romans. He wants to expel the romans from Britain and take over the whole island. And so he obtained a ship. He is training soldiers. He even gathers cruel wild beasts. He recently forced the wild beasts onto me so that he might kill me.

Agricola however had difficulty trusting these words, more carefully asked Salvius who had seen evidence of these rebellions. He wanted to know how many were armed, whether the Britons had killed roman citizens, and which cities they had destroyed.

Suddenly everyone heard a great noise,. Through the door of the headquarters burst a filthy man. He ran headlong to Agricola and clung to his knees.

"I am a roman citizen" he said. "They call me Quintus Caecilius Iucundum" I have suffered many injuries [to at last arrive at this place.] I want to say this one thing. Cogidubnus is innocent.

Latin III Page 3

one thing. Cogidubnus is innocent.

Having spoken this, he fell to the ground unconscious.